By: Movie Snurb (A Toast) –
Stalker (1979) Movie Drinking Game
Do a Shot: every time the throw their white sheet with a nut inside to set off traps.
Do a Shot: whenever the film changes color.
Take a Drink: every time they’re shot at.
Do a Shot: for every new area they go into, room or otherwise.
Movie Review
In the future the world has been stricken with a type of sadness and misery. For an unknown reason, whether it was from a meteor or aliens, a place called The Zone has appeared and the rumor is if you go into the zone there is a room that will grant you your deepest desire once entered. There are men nicknamed Stalkers who take people in the zone to go to the room, serving as a type of Sherpa. No one has ever come back from the room in the zone, so the government has walled it off, not allowing anyone to enter. One day a Stalker takes a scientist and a writer both looking for different things into the zone to journey into the room.
A Toast
I have only seen two Tarkovsky films so far in my life, but with those two films I can tell he is one of the greatest films makers to ever live. The theological, religious, and societal themes in his films are unmatched. His films look absolutely gorgeous, especially for a film from 1979. The film begins with a sepia tone, helping to show the misery and depression that has ensnared the modern world. Once we get into the zone the film comes into full color. Every color is richer than the last. When the three men get back into their world the film turns a sepia color once again. The color of the film along with the rest of the cinematography has a direct correlation with the thematic elements of the film.
Another thing I love about Tarkovsky films, aside from the sheer beauty of them, are the themes he wrestles with. One major theme throughout most of his films I can state even without seeing all of them is religion. Religion is a huge part of Stalker; that and faith is really the basis of the entire film. I think the film has two different interpretations that one can take away from it, or even these themes or questions might be one and the same, with both coinciding as Tarkovsky says these go hand in hand.
The first theme or question is: Can happiness be found? Or does happiness come within our own suffering? Do we discover what makes us happy during our times of suffering? Happiness cannot be manufactured. This is the question posed by the Stalker’s wife at the end of the film and probably the more literal interpretation of the film. That is a question I cannot answer, though I believe there is some truth to this. Before this pandemic, I didn’t care about my job. I’m glad I had money, but it didn’t bring me a lot of joy. Now, during the pandemic, I am joyful that I still have a job that keeps my mind off of everything else going on. This is a question that most philosophers ask and is why this film feels timeless, because no one will ever have a definitive answer, until maybe we die and go to some sort of euphoric afterlife.
This brings about the second question or theme: Is the room Heaven? If so, do the men not enter the room because they’re not worthy/have not died? You cannot force your way into heaven, you must wait for you time. I believe the room represents Heaven or whatever euphoric afterlife you might believe in. As the men get closer to the room the film is full of lush color and as we get more distant from the room the film becomes sepiatone and colorless. This clearly shows the oasis that is the zone and the room. Since the scientist and the writer do not enter the room, does this mean they have lost faith in the room or Heaven? Does this mean the Stalker has no purpose? He believes so, but if the world loses faith then what point is there to anything?
I think this is a flaw with some religious people. If others don’t believe in what you believe then it has no meaning. But if the Stalker wants to keep believing and journeying into the zone then he can, he doesn’t need anyone to say he’s not wasting his time. If you have faith in an afterlife and this belief brings you comfort, then why does it matter what other people believe? This, I think, is the underlying issue with religion and getting people to convert. I don’t think it’s out of the goodness of their hearts. For some maybe it is, but for others it’s so they can feel vindicated in believing in something that hasn’t been proven.
Verdict
I watched this film a few weeks ago and it is still sitting with me. I think this would be a fascinating study in a Bible study class, getting everyone’s interpretations of the film and leading to some great discussions. Stalker is slow, but is worth it; people should see this film.
